Fiber composite component with an electrically conductive fiber material for reinforcement as well as a device for its manufacture

Abstract

A fiber composite component as a structural component of an aircraft, encompasses a mat-shaped, electrically conductive fiber material embedded in several layers into a synthetic resin matrix, wherein individual fibers protrude as free fiber ends from the flat plane of the mat-shaped fiber material, so as to establish an electrical bridge connection between adjacent layers of the fiber material through an interspersed synthetic resin layer. A device for manufacturing such a fiber material is also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a fiber composite component as a structural component of an aircraft, comprising a mat-shaped, electrically conductive material, which is embedded in several layers into a synthetic resin matrix. The invention further relates to a device for manufacturing the electrically conductive fiber material.[0002]The area of application for the invention extends to aircraft construction. In particular structural components of an aircraft, for example of the fuselage and / or wing, can be made out of fiber composite materials. Predominantly used for this purpose are carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFK), in which carbon fibers are embedded in several layers into a plastic matrix as reinforcement. The matrix can here consist of thermosets or thermoplastics.[0003]The manufacture of fiber composite components can take place using pre-impregnated fibers—so-called prepregs—consisting of carbon fibers and an uncured thermosetting plastic matrix, wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about creating a part made from electrically conductive fiber composite fabricated through an infusion or injection process that can be easily protected from lightning. The invention allows for an increase in electrical conductivity without needing prepreg fabrication, which involves impregnating fiber matts with synthetic resin and guiding them between rollers to rigidify them. Instead, the invention involves forming electrical contact between adjacent layers of fiber material by allowing free fiber ends to stay in their protruding position while adding the synthetic resin. This results in a stronger component that requires fewer free fiber ends for sufficient electrical conductivity.

Problems solved by technology

While the electrically conductive grid-shaped network formed by the special seam does protect the structural component against lightning, the load-bearing capacity of a structural component made out of this reinforcement is rather limited.

To elevate the load-bearing capacity, the component thickness must be increased, which would lead to an undesired rise in component weight.

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